U.S. patent application number 13/567600 was filed with the patent office on 2013-03-28 for torque limiting device for fishing reel.
This patent application is currently assigned to SHIMANO INC.. The applicant listed for this patent is Kunio TAKECHI. Invention is credited to Kunio TAKECHI.
Application Number | 20130075218 13/567600 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47910031 |
Filed Date | 2013-03-28 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130075218 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
TAKECHI; Kunio |
March 28, 2013 |
TORQUE LIMITING DEVICE FOR FISHING REEL
Abstract
A torque limiting device for a fishing reel is provided. The
torque limiting device is configured to limit torque between a
rotatable shaft member and a rotary member disposed on an outer
peripheral side of the shaft member in the fishing reel. The torque
limiting device includes a first pin member being disposed in the
shaft member, where the first pin member is configured to protrude
towards and retract from the rotary member and the first pin member
has a first spherical tip, an urging member is disposed in the
shaft member, where the urging member is configured to urge the
first pin member towards the rotary member, and a first recess is
disposed on the rotary member to allow the tip of the first pin
member to be engaged therewith.
Inventors: |
TAKECHI; Kunio; (Osaka,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TAKECHI; Kunio |
Osaka |
|
JP |
|
|
Assignee: |
SHIMANO INC.
Osaka
JP
|
Family ID: |
47910031 |
Appl. No.: |
13/567600 |
Filed: |
August 6, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
192/55.1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F16D 7/048 20130101;
F16D 43/2028 20130101; A01K 89/0185 20150501; A01K 89/015
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
192/55.1 |
International
Class: |
F16D 43/20 20060101
F16D043/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 27, 2011 |
JP |
2011-211082 |
Claims
1. A torque limiting device for a fishing reel, the torque limiting
device configured to limit torque between a rotatable shaft member
and a rotary member disposed on an outer peripheral side of the
shaft member in the fishing reel, the torque limiting device
comprising: a first pin member being disposed in the shaft member,
the first pin member being configured to protrude towards and
retract from the rotary member, the first pin member having a first
spherical tip; an urging member being disposed in the shaft member,
the urging member configured to urge the first pin member towards
the rotary member; and a first recess disposed on the rotary member
to allow the tip of the first pin member to be engaged
therewith.
2. The torque limiting device according to claim 1, wherein the
first recess includes a surface making contact with the tip of the
first pin member, and the surface has a slope intersecting with an
axis of the shaft member.
3. The torque limiting device for a fishing reel according to claim
1, wherein the first pin member includes the first spherical tip as
a head portion and a shaft portion having a diameter smaller than a
diameter of the head portion.
4. The torque limiting device for a fishing reel according to claim
3, further comprising a second pin member being disposed in the
shaft member, the second pin member being configured to protrude
towards and retract from the rotary member, the second pin member
having a second spherical tip, wherein the first and second pin
members are disposed along a diameter of the shaft member while the
head portions thereof are respectively directed radially outwards,
and the urging member is a coil spring being disposed between the
two head portions on an outer peripheral side of the two shaft
portions.
5. The torque limiting device according to claim 4, further
comprising the number of recesses including the first recess is
greater than the number of pin members including first and second
pin members, and the recesses are aligned in a circumferential
direction at predetermined intervals.
6. The torque limiting device according to claim 1, wherein the
rotary member is a gear member being configured to transmit
rotation of a handle shaft to a traverse cam shaft of a level
winding mechanism of a dual-bearing reel.
7. The torque limiting device according to claim 6, wherein the
shaft member is a handle shaft for the dual-bearing reel prevented
from rotating in a fishing-line releasing direction.
8. The torque limiting device according to claim 6, wherein the
shaft member is the traverse cam shaft.
9. A dual-bearing reel, comprising: the torque limiting device
according to claim 1.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority to Japanese Patent
Application No. 2011-211082 filed on Sep. 27, 2011. The entire
disclosure of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-211082 is hereby
incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention relates to a torque limiting device,
particularly to a torque limiting device for a fishing reel, which
is configured to limit torque between a rotatable shaft member and
a rotary member disposed on the outer peripheral side of the shaft
member in the fishing reel.
[0004] 2. Background Art
[0005] The dual-bearing reels are provided with a fishing-line
guide device, which is so-called a level winding mechanism. The
level winding mechanism includes a driven gear (an exemplary rotary
member), a traverse cam shaft and a fishing-line guide. The driven
gear is a member to which rotation of a handle shaft is
transmitted. The traverse cam shaft is configured to be unitarily
rotated with the driven gear. The fishing-line guide is configured
to be axially reciprocated while being meshed with the traverse cam
shaft. The traverse cam shaft has intersecting helical grooves on
the outer peripheral surface thereof. The fishing-line guide
includes an engaging member to be engaged with the helical grooves.
In this type of level winding mechanism, an art for limiting torque
to be transmitted from the handle shaft to the driven gear has been
known (see e.g., U.S. Pat. No. 2,523,134).
[0006] The well-known torque limiting device for a fishing reel is
mounted on the driven gear. The driven gear is configured to be
rotated through an intermediate gear in conjunction with rotation
of the spool shaft. The driven gear has an inner member and an
outer member. The inner member is configured to be unitarily
rotated with the traverse cam shaft (an exemplary shaft member).
The outer member is rotatably supported by the inner member. The
torque limiting device includes a spring member disposed between
the inner member and the outer member. The spring member, having an
annular shape, is formed by curving a spring wire rod in a circular
shape. The spring member is locked with the inner member. The
spring member makes contact with an annular groove formed on the
outer member. Torque is limited by the urging force of the spring
member.
SUMMARY
[0007] In the well-known torque limiting device, the driven gear as
the rotary member is divided into the inner member and the outer
member, and torque is limited by the spring member disposed between
the inner member and the outer member. Therefore, the radial size
of the rotary member is increased, and thus the rotary member
cannot be compactly formed.
[0008] It is an advantage of the present invention to compactly
form a rotary member in a torque limiting device for a fishing
reel.
[0009] A torque limiting device for a fishing reel is provided. The
torque limiting device is configured to limit torque between a
rotatable shaft member and a rotary member disposed on an outer
peripheral side of the shaft member in the fishing reel. The torque
limiting device includes a first pin member being disposed in the
shaft member, where the first pin member is configured to protrude
towards and retract from the rotary member and the first pin member
has a first spherical tip, an urging member is disposed in the
shaft member, where the urging member is configured to urge the
first pin member towards the rotary member, and a first recess is
disposed on the rotary member to allow the tip of the first pin
member to be engaged therewith.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] Referring now to the attached drawings which form a part of
this original disclosure:
[0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a dual-bearing reel
according to a first exemplary embodiment of the present
invention;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a side view of the dual-bearing reel seen from a
handle attachment side;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 sectioned along a
cutting line
[0014] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 sectioned along a
cutting line IV-IV;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of the dual-bearing
reel on a first side cover side;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a part of a handle shaft
where a first gear is mounted;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of FIG. 6 sectioned
along a cutting line VII-VII, and
[0018] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a part of the handle
shaft which corresponds to FIG. 6 described in another exemplary
embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
Structure of Dual-Bearing Reel
[0019] In FIG. 1, a dual-bearing reel according to a first
exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a low profile
reel. The dual-bearing reel includes a reel unit 1, a handle 2 for
rotating a spool and a spool 12 for winding a fishing line. The
handle 2 is disposed laterally to (e.g., on the left side of) the
reel unit 1. The spool 12 is rotatably and detachably attached to
the inside of the reel unit 1. Further, a drag regulation member 3
is disposed on the reel unit 1 side of the handle 2 in order to
regulate drag.
[0020] The handle 2 is of a double-handle type including a handle
arm 2a and two knob portions 2b. The handle arm 2a is a
plate-shaped member made of, for instance, metal. The knob portions
2b are rotatably attached to the both ends of the handle arm 2a. As
illustrated in FIG. 2, the handle arm 2a is non-rotatably fixed to
a tip of a handle shaft 30 by a nut 2d. Rotation of the nut 2d is
prevented by a retainer 2c fixed to the outer surface of the handle
arm 2a by a screw.
[0021] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the reel unit 1 includes a
frame 5, a first side cover 6a, a second side cover 6b, and a shaft
support part 7. The first and second side covers 6a and 6b are
attached to the both lateral sides of the frame 5 for laterally
covering the frame 5. The shaft support part 7 is detachably
attached to a lateral part of the frame 5. The first side cover 6a
is disposed on the opposite side of the handle 2, while the second
side cover 6b is disposed on the attachment side of the handle
2.
[0022] The frame 5 is a member made of light metal (e.g., aluminum
alloy, magnesium alloy, etc.) and includes a first side plate 5a, a
second side plate 5b, and a plurality of coupling portions 5c. The
first and second side plates 5a and 5b are opposed at a
predetermined interval. The coupling portions 5c couple the first
and second side plates 5a and 5b. The shaft support part 7 is
detachably attached to the first side plate 5a disposed on the
opposite side of the handle attachment side. The first side plate
5a includes a circular opening 5d for allowing the spool 12 to pass
therethrough. The shaft support part 7 is detachably attached to
the opening 5d b, for instance, by a bayonet mechanism 23 in order
to take out the spool 12 from the opening 5d side. Further, a
fishing rod attachment leg 4 is integrally formed with two
bottom-side coupling portions 5c. The fishing rod attachment leg 4
is a member elongated back and forth for attaching the dual-bearing
reel to a fishing rod.
[0023] The first side cover 6a is a member made of light metal
(e.g., aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, etc.) and covers the
outside of the first side plate 5a. The first side cover 6a has a
circular recess 6c in the center part thereof. The recess 6c is
recessed in a plurality of stages. The recess 6c has a circular
knob opening 6d in the center part thereof. The shaft support part
7 is exposed to the outside through the knob opening 6d. The first
side cover 6a is interposed and held by the shaft support part 7
and is thereby detachably attached to the frame 5 together with the
shaft support part 7. In a position radially outwards of the shaft
support part 7, a positioning mechanism 60 is disposed on the inner
peripheral part of the knob opening 6d of the first side cover 6a.
The positioning mechanism 60 is configured to prevent rotation of
the shaft support part 7 of a non-operated state and appropriately
position the shaft support part 7 of an operated state.
[0024] The second side cover 6b is a member made of light metal
(e.g., aluminum alloy, magnesium alloy, etc.) and is fixed to the
second side plate 5b of the frame 5 by screws. The second side
cover 6b includes a boss portion 8 and a lid member 9. The boss
portion 8 is disposed in a position where a spool shaft 16 is
disposed. The lid member 9 closes an opening of the boss portion 8.
The boss portion 8 is fixed to the second side cover 6b, for
instance, by swaging. The lid member 9 is fixed to the second side
cover 6b by screws. The inner diameter of the boss portion 8 is
slightly greater than the outer diameter of a gear portion 32a of a
pinion gear 32 to be described. Therefore, the gear portion 32a can
enter the inner peripheral side of the boss portion 8.
[0025] The shaft support part 7 is rotatably attached to the first
side cover 6a while interposing and holding the first side cover 6a
between components thereof. Therefore, the shaft support part 7 is
prevented from being detached from the first side cover 6a.
Further, the shaft support part 7 is detachably attached to the
first side plate 5a by the bayonet mechanism 23 as illustrated in
FIG. 3. The bayonet mechanism 23 includes a plurality of (e.g.,
three) plate-shaped protruding portions 23a and a plurality of
(e.g., three) groove-shaped engaging recesses 23b. The protruding
portions 23a protrude radially outwards from the outer periphery of
the shaft support part 7 while being circumferentially aligned at
predetermined intervals on the outer periphery of the shaft support
part 7. The engaging recesses 23b are formed outside the opening 5d
of the first side plate 5a for engaging with the protruding
portions 23a. The shaft support part 7 is turned and attached to
the first side plate 5a by the bayonet mechanism 23. Accordingly,
the first side cover 6a is also attached to the first side plate
5a.
[0026] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the shaft support part 7 includes
a bearing mounting portion 33 and an attachment/detachment
operating portion 34. The bearing mounting portion 33 is a portion
where a first bearing 24a is mounted. The attachment/detachment
operating portion 34, together with the bearing mounting portion
33, interposes and holds the first side cover 6a therebetween in a
relatively rotatable state. The bearing mounting portion 33 is a
saucer-shaped member. An outer periphery 33a of the bearing
mounting portion 33 is fitted into the opening 5d. Further, the
outer periphery 33a has the plural protruding portions 23a of the
bayonet mechanism 23. The protruding portions 23a protrude radially
outwards from the outer periphery 33a while being circumferentially
aligned about the axis of the spool 12 at predetermined intervals.
The bearing mounting portion 33 has a tubular bearing accommodation
portion 33b in the center part thereof. The bearing accommodation
portion 33b protrudes towards the spool 12 in a tubular shape for
accommodating the first bearing 24a. The bearing accommodation
portion 33b has a stepped tubular mounting space 33c for mounting
the first bearing 24a to the inner peripheral surface thereof. A
disc-shaped first plate 41a, forming a part of a casting control
mechanism 22 to be described, is attached to a bottom portion 33d
of the mounting space 33c. The bottom portion 33d has a female
threaded portion 33e that a brake knob 42 to be described is
screwed. The bearing mounting portion 33 has a plurality of (e.g.,
two) positioning convex portions 33f on the surface thereof that
makes contact with the attachment/detachment operating portion 34.
The positioning convex portions 33f protrude in parallel to the
axis of the spool 12 while being circumferentially aligned about
the axis of the spool shaft 16 at predetermined intervals. The
bearing mounting portion 33 has a tubular seal arrangement portion
33g protruding axially outwards on the outer surface thereof.
[0027] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the attachment/detachment
operating portion 34 is a stepped cylindrical member fixed to the
bearing mounting portion 33 by a screw member (not illustrated in
the figures). The attachment/detachment operating portion 34 serves
to perform an attachment/detachment operation of the shaft support
part 7. The outer surface of the attachment/detachment operating
portion 34 is slightly recessed than that of the first side cover
6a. The attachment/detachment operating portion 34 has a rib 34a
disposed on the diameter thereof for performing an
attachment/detachment operation. The rib 34a has a shape further
protruding radially inwards and axially outwards than the other
part of the attachment/detachment operating portion 34. The
attachment/detachment operating portion 34 has an opening 34b in
the center part thereof. The seal arrangement portion 33g protrudes
into the opening 34b. Further, the attachment/detachment operating
portion 34 has a plurality of (e.g., two) positioning recesses 34c
on the wall surface thereof (i.e., the bearing mounting portion 33
side wall surface). The positioning convex portions 33f are engaged
with the positioning recesses 34c.
[0028] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the frame 5 accommodates
the spool 12 for winding a fishing line, a level winding mechanism
15 and a clutch operating member 17. The spool 12 can be disposed
along a direction perpendicularly to a fishing rod. The level
winding mechanism 15 is configured to uniformly wind the fishing
line onto the spool 12. The clutch operating member 17 functions as
a thumb pad in thumbing the fishing line. Further, a gear mechanism
18, a clutch mechanism 13, a clutch control mechanism 19, a drag
mechanism 21 and the casting control mechanism 22 are disposed
between the frame 5 and the second side cover 6b. The gear
mechanism 18 is configured to transfer rotational force from the
handle 2 to the spool 12 and the level winding mechanism 15. The
clutch control mechanism 19 is configured to execute an on/off
control of the clutch mechanism 13. The drag mechanism 21 is
configured to brake rotation of the spool 12 in a fishing-line
releasing direction. The casting control mechanism 22 is configured
to regulate resistive force to be applied during rotation of the
spool 12.
[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the spool 12 has a pair of
saucer-shaped flanges 12a on the both lateral parts thereof.
Further, the spool 12 has a tubular bobbin trunk 12b between the
flanges 12a. Yet further, the spool 12 has a tubular boss 12c
integrally formed with a substantially axial center part of the
inner periphery of the bobbin trunk 12b. The spool 12 is
non-rotatably fixed onto the spool shaft 16 penetrating the boss
12c, for instance, by serration coupling. The method of fixing the
spool 12 onto the spool shaft 16 is not limited to the serration
coupling and a variety of coupling methods (e.g., key coupling,
spline coupling, etc.) can be herein employed instead.
[0030] The spool shaft 16 is extended to the second side cover 6b
while penetrating through the second side plate 5b. The spool shaft
16 is rotatably supported by the reel unit 1 through the first
bearing 24a and a second bearing 24b on the axially both sides of
the boss 12c of the spool 12. The first bearing 24a is mounted to
the shaft support part 7, while the second bearing 24b is mounted
to the second side plate 5b. A first end surface 16a and a second
end surface 16b of the spool shaft 16 respectively protrude and are
formed in either a chevron shape or a circular-arc shape. The first
and second end surfaces 16a and 16b of the spool shaft 16 can make
contact with the casting control mechanism 22.
[0031] An engaging pin 13a, forming a part of the clutch mechanism
13, is fixed to a part of the spool shaft 16 that penetrates
through the second side plate 5b. The engaging pin 13a penetrates
through the spool shaft 16 along its diameter, while the both ends
thereof radially protrude from the spool shaft 16. The tip (i.e.,
the right end in FIG. 2) of the pinion gear 32 to be described can
be engaged with the both protruding ends of the engaging pin
13a.
[0032] As illustrated in FIG. 3, the level winding mechanism 15
includes a second gear 25, a traverse cam shaft 26 and a fishing
line guide 27. The second gear 25 is meshed with a first gear 28 of
the gear mechanism 18 to be described. The traverse cam shaft 26 is
a shaft member having helical grooves 26a intersecting with each
other on the outer peripheral surface thereof. The fishing line
guide 27 is a portion that the fishing line is inserted
therethrough. The fishing line guide 27 is engaged with the helical
grooves 26a. The fishing line guide 27 is configured to reciprocate
in parallel to and in front of the spool 12 in conjunction with
rotation of the traverse cam shaft 26. Thus, the fishing line can
pass through the fishing line guide 27 and is uniformly wound about
the spool 12 in conjunction with reciprocation of the fishing line
guide 27.
[0033] The gear mechanism 18 includes the handle shaft 30, a
driving gear 31, the pinion gear 32 and the first gear 28. The
driving gear 31 is rotatably mounted onto the handle shaft 30. The
pinion gear 32 is a tubular gear to be meshed with the driving gear
31. The first gear 28 is meshed with the second gear 25 while being
mounted onto the handle shaft 30. The handle shaft 30 is prevented
from rotating in the fishing-line releasing direction by a
roller-type one-way clutch 40. In other words, the handle shaft 30
is allowed to rotate only in the fishing-line winding direction.
The one-way clutch 40 is mounted to the second side cover 6b. The
base end of the handle shaft 30 is rotatably supported by the
second side plate 5b through a bearing 20. A ratchet wheel 36 is
disposed on the rear side (i.e., the left side in FIG. 3) of the
driving gear 31 while being mounted onto the handle shaft 30 in a
unitarily rotatable state. The first gear 28 is disposed on the
rear side of the ratchet wheel 36. The handle shaft 30 has a
large-diameter contact portion 30b between its portion for mounting
the ratchet wheel 36 and its portion for mounting the first gear
28. Rotation of the handle shaft 30 is transferred to the driving
gear 31 through the drag mechanism 21.
[0034] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the pinion gear 32 is extended
axially outwards from the second side plate 5b. The pinion gear 32
is a tubular member that the spool shaft 16 penetrates through the
center thereof. The pinion gear 32 is mounted onto the spool shaft
16 while being axially movable. The pinion gear 32 has the gear
portion 32a, an engaging portion 32b and a narrowed portion 32c.
The gear portion 32a is formed on the base end of the pinion gear
32. The engaging portion 32b is formed on the tip end of the pinion
gear 32 and can be engaged with the engaging pin 13a. The narrowed
portion 32c is disposed between the gear portion 32a and the
engaging portion 32b. The driving gear 31 is meshed with the gear
portion 32a. The engaging pin 13a is engaged with the engaging
portion 32b. A clutch yoke 35 of the clutch control mechanism 19 is
engaged with the narrowed portion 32c. The pinion gear 32 is
configured to be moved between a clutch-on position illustrated
above a center line C in FIG. 3 and a clutch-off position
illustrated below the center line C in FIG. 3 in conjunction with
either an operation of the clutch operating member 17 or rotation
of the handle 2 in the fishing-line winding direction. The pinion
gear 32 is supported by the second side plate 5b through a bearing
29 while being rotatable and axially movable.
[0035] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the first gear 28 is coupled to
the handle shaft 30 through a torque limiter 39 (an exemplary
torque limiting device for a fishing reel). As illustrated in FIG.
3, the first gear 28 is meshed with the second gear 25 mounted onto
the traverse cam shaft 26 of the level winding mechanism 15.
Torque Limiter Structure
[0036] The torque limiter 39 is provided for preventing excessive
force from acting on the first gear 28 (an exemplary rotary member)
and the second gear 25 when the level winding mechanism 15 is
broken down. As illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the torque limiter 39
includes a pair of pin members 51, an urging member 52 and at least
a locking recess 53. The pin members 51 are disposed in the handle
shaft 30 (an exemplary shaft member). The urging member 52 is, for
instance, a coil spring for urging the paired pin members 51
towards the first gear 28. At least one locking recess 53 is formed
on the inner peripheral surface of the first gear 28. In the
present exemplary embodiment, four locking recesses 53 are formed
thereon while being circumferentially aligned at predetermined
intervals.
[0037] The handle shaft 30 includes a through hole 30a penetrating
therethrough in a diameter direction for allowing the pin members
51 to be inserted therein such that the pin members 51 are
protrudable and retractable. Each pin member 51 has a head portion
51a and a shaft portion 51b. The head portion 51a has a curved
surface of a hemispheric cannonball shape, while the shaft portion
51b has a diameter smaller than that of the head portion 51a. The
pin members 51 are disposed within the through hole 30a while the
head portions 51a are directed to the locking recesses 53. The
urging member 52 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the
shaft portions 51b of the paired pin members 51 while being
compressed between the paired head portions 51a. Each locking
recess 53 has a linear slope 53a and a cylindrical surface 53b. The
slope 53a is disposed downstream in a rotational direction (i.e., a
fishing-line winding direction) of the first gear 28 depicted with
an arrow R, while the cylindrical surface 53b is disposed upstream
in the rotation direction of the first gear 28. Therefore, rotation
of the handle shaft 30 is normally transmitted to the first gear 28
when the pin members 51 press the slopes 53a. With the structure,
the pin members 51 are configured to retract into the through hole
30a when excessive force acts on the first gear 28 by strongly
rotating the handle 2 while foreign substance gets stuck in the
level winding mechanism 15. Accordingly, the handle shaft 30 idles
and this prevents the first gear 28 from being easily damaged or
broken down. As illustrated in FIG. 7, the contact surface (the
slope 53a and the cylindrical surface 53b) of each locking recess
53, which is contactable with one of the head portions 51 a, has a
slope 53c intersecting with the axis of the handle shaft 30. Each
slope 53c is slanted for gradually getting closer to the axis of
the handle shaft 30 towards the driving gear 31. When the first
gear 28 is manufactured by molding, the slope 53c can be formed
using the draft angle of a mold. With the structure, force of
pressing the first gear 28 towards the contact portion 30b is
produced when the pin members 51 press the first gear 28. The first
gear 28 is thereby prevented from being easily wobbled in its
rotation.
[0038] The clutch mechanism 13 includes the engaging pin 13a and
the engaging portion 32b of the pinion gear 32. The clutch
mechanism 13 can be set to be in either of the clutch-on state and
the clutch-off state in response to an operation of the clutch
operating member 17. In the clutch-on state, rotation of the handle
2 is transmitted to the spool 12. In the clutch-off state, the
spool 12 can be freely rotated.
[0039] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3, the clutch operating member
17 is disposed rearwards of the spool 12 while being disposed in
the rear part of the space interposed between the first side plate
5a and the second side plate 5b. The frame 5 has an elongated hole
(not illustrated in the figures) in each of the first and second
side plates 5a and 5b. The clutch operating member 17 is rotatably
supported by the elongated holes. Therefore, the clutch operating
member 17 can be slid up and down along the elongated holes.
[0040] The clutch control mechanism 19 includes the clutch yoke 35.
The clutch yoke 35 is disposed on the outer peripheral side of the
spool shaft 16. The clutch yoke 35 is supported by two pins (not
illustrated in the figures) while being movable in parallel to the
axis of the spool shaft 16. It should be noted that the spool shaft
16 can be rotated relatively to the clutch yoke 35. In other words,
the clutch yoke 35 is configured not to be rotated even when the
spool shaft 16 is rotated. Further, the clutch yoke 35 is movable
right and left in FIG. 3 while the middle part thereof is engaged
with the narrowed portion 32c of the pinion gear 32. The clutch
yoke 35 is constantly urged in a clutch-on direction (i.e.,
inwards, more specifically, leftwards in FIG. 3) by a spring (not
illustrated in the figures).
[0041] In the structure as described above, the pinion gear 32 is
normally disposed in the inner clutch-on position while being
engaged with the engaging pin 13a of the spool shaft 16. Thus, the
clutch-on state is produced. When the pinion gear 32 is moved
outwards by the clutch yoke 35, on the other hand, engagement
between the pinion gear 32 and the engaging pin 13a is released.
Thus, the clutch-off state is produced. The gear portion 32a of the
pinion gear 32 is herein disposed on the inner peripheral side of
the boss portion 8 as illustrated below an axis C in FIG. 3.
Therefore, the pinion gear 32 is prevented from being easily
wobbled in the clutch-off state.
[0042] As illustrated in FIG. 4, the drag mechanism 21 includes the
drag regulation member 3, a pressure plate 38 and the one-way
clutch 40. The drag regulation member 3 is used for an operation of
regulating drag force. The pressure plate 38 is mounted onto the
handle shaft 30 in a unitarily rotatable state. The one-way clutch
40 is mounted to the second side cover 6b while being disposed in
the surrounding of the handle shaft 30. The pressure plate 38 is
coupled to an inner race 40a of the one-way clutch 40 in a
unitarily rotatable state. When the pressure plate 38 is pressed
towards the driving gear 31 by an operation of rotating the drag
regulation member 3, slippage is caused between the pressure plate
38 and the driving gear 31. The drag mechanism 21 is thus
configured to brake the spool 12. To actuate the drag mechanism 21,
the one-way clutch 40 is configured to prevent the handle shaft 30
from rotating in the fishing-line releasing direction.
Structure of Casting Control Mechanism
[0043] As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the casting control
mechanism 22 includes the first plate 41a, second plates 41b and
the brake knob 42. The first and second plates 41a and 41b are
disposed for holding and interposing therebetween the both ends of
the spool shaft 16. The brake knob 42 serves to regulate force of
the first and second plates 41a and 41b for holding and interposing
therebetween the spool shaft 16.
[0044] As described above, the single first plate 41a is disposed
on the left side (see FIG. 3) while being mounted to the bottom
portion 33d of the mounting space 33c within the bearing mounting
portion 33. The first plate 41a can make contact with a first end
16a of the spool shaft 16. The two second plates 41b are mounted to
the inside of the boss portion 8 of the second side cover 6b.
[0045] As illustrated in FIG. 5, the brake knob 42 has an operating
portion 42a, a seal attachment portion 42b, and a male threaded
portion 42c. The operating portion 42a is a circular portion. The
seal attachment portion 42b has a diameter smaller than that of the
operating portion 42a. The male threaded portion 42c has a diameter
smaller than that of the seal attachment portion 42b. In the
present exemplary embodiment, the operating portion 42a has a
circular truncated cone shape. The outer peripheral side of the
operating portion 42a is disposed away from the
attachment/detachment operating portion 34 at a clearance produced
for operating the operating portion 42a. The brake knob 42 is
disposed in the recess 6c of the first side cover 6a while being
prevented from protruding from the outer surface of the first side
cover 6a. In the present exemplary embodiment, the
attachment/detachment operating portion 34 is also disposed in the
recess 6c. Therefore, the operating portion 42a is thus disposed
away from the attachment/detachment operating portion 34 at the
clearance. The seal attachment portion 42b has an annular seal
attachment groove 42d. An O-ring 43 is attached onto the seal
attachment groove 42d. The O-ring 43 is disposed for making contact
with the inner peripheral surface of the seal arrangement portion
33g and the seal attachment groove 42d. The male threaded portion
42c is screwed into the female threaded portion 33e of the bearing
mounting portion 33. The male threaded portion 42c can make contact
with the first plate 41a.
Method of Operating Dual-bearing Reel
[0046] The clutch yoke 35 is normally pressed inwards (leftwards in
FIG. 3). The pinion gear 32 is thereby moved to an engaged
position. The clutch-on state is herein produced, while the pinion
gear 32 and the engaging pin 13a of the spool shaft 16 are meshed.
Rotational force from the handle 2 is herein transmitted to the
spool 12 through the handle shaft 30, the driving gear 31, the
pinion gear 32, and the spool shaft 16. The spool 12 is accordingly
rotated in the fishing-line winding direction.
[0047] In fishing, braking force is regulated by the casting
control mechanism 22 for inhibiting occurrence of backlash. In
regulating braking force with the casting control mechanism 22, the
brake knob 42 is turned in the clockwise direction, for instance.
The brake knob 42 thereby proceeds rightwards in FIG. 5 and the
interval between the first plate 41a and the second plates 41b is
reduced. Accordingly, braking force onto the spool shaft 16 is
increased. In contrast, braking force is reduced by turning the
brake knob 42 in the counterclockwise direction.
[0048] When regulation of braking force is finished, the clutch
operating member 17 is pressed downwards. The clutch operating
member 17 is herein moved to a downward disengaged position.
Further, the clutch yoke 35 is moved outwards in conjunction with
movement of the clutch operating member 17. The pinion gear 32,
engaged with the clutch yoke 35, is also moved in the same
direction as the clutch yoke 35. As a result, engagement between
the pinion gear 32 and the engaging pin 13a of the spool shaft 16
is released and the clutch-off state is thereby produced. In the
clutch-off state, rotation from the handle shaft 30 is not
transmitted to the spool 12 and the spool shaft 16. Therefore, the
spool 12 can be freely rotated. When the clutch-off state is thus
produced, an angler drops the fishing line by tilting the reel for
arranging the spool shaft 16 along a vertical plane while thumbing
the fishing line wound about the spool 12 by the thumb of the hand
holding and palming the first side cover 6a. The spool 12 is
accordingly rotated in the fishing-line releasing direction by the
weight of a terminal tackle and the fishing line is reeled out.
[0049] The brake knob 42 is herein disposed in the recess 6c of the
first side cover 6a disposed oppositely to the handle 2 attachment
side while being prevented from protruding from the first side
cover 6a. Therefore, the brake knob 42 does not make contact with
the angler's palm even when palming is executed on the first side
cover 6a side. With the structure, palming can be easily executed
on the opposite side of the handle 2 attachment side.
[0050] Further, the handle 2 is rotated in the fishing-line winding
direction when a fish bites after the fishing line is reeled out.
In response, rotation is transmitted from the first gear 28 to the
second gear 25, and the fishing line guide 27 of the level winding
mechanism 15 is reciprocated in front of the spool 12 along the
spool shaft direction. Accordingly, the fishing line is uniformly
wound about the spool 12. In actuating the level winding mechanism
15, the fishing line guide 27 can become immovable due to a factor
such as attachment of foreign material onto the traverse cam shaft
26. When the handle 2 is herein forcibly rotated, large torque acts
on the first gear 28 and the second gear 25. When a large amount of
torque acts on the first gear 28 beyond its acceptable limit, the
pin members 51 retract into the through hole 30a against the urging
force of the urging member 52, and the handle shaft 30 is rotated
with respect to the first gear 28. Accordingly, torque is
restricted from being transmitted from the handle shaft 30 to the
first gear 28. In this case, members for restricting transmission
torque, i.e., the pin members 51 and the urging member 52 are
disposed on the handle shaft 30, and it is only required to form at
least one locking recess 53 on the first gear 28. Therefore, the
first gear 28 can be compactly formed.
Features
[0051] The aforementioned exemplary embodiment can be expressed as
follows.
[0052] (A) The torque limiter 39 as a torque limiting device is a
device configured to limit torque between the handle shaft 30 as a
rotatable shaft member and the first gear 28 as a rotary member
disposed on the outer peripheral side of the handle shaft 30. The
torque limiter 39 includes at least one pin member 51, at least one
urging member 52 and at least one locking recess 53. At least one
pin member 51 is a member with a spherical tip. The pin member 51
can be protruding towards and retracting from the first gear 28
while being disposed in the handle shaft 30. At least one urging
member 52 is disposed in the handle shaft 30 and urges the pin
member 51 towards the first gear 28. At least one locking recess 53
is formed on the first gear 28 for allowing the tip of the pin
member 51 to be engaged therewith.
[0053] In the torque limiter 39, the tip (i.e., the head portion
51a) of the pin member 51 is normally engaged with the locking
recess 53 while the pin member 51 is urged towards the first gear
28 by the urging member 52. Accordingly, rotation is transmitted
from the handle shaft 30 to the first gear 28 or vice versa. When
torque to be transmitted exceeds allowable torque set in accordance
with the urging force of the urging member 52, the pin member 51
retracts into the through hole 30a of the handle shaft 30 against
the urging force of the urging member 52. Accordingly, the first
gear 28 and the handle shaft 30 can be rotated relatively to each
other. Accordingly, torque to be transmitted is restricted. In this
case, members for restricting transmission torque, i.e., the pin
member 51 and the urging member 52 are disposed on the handle shaft
30, and it is only required to form at least one locking recess 53
on the first gear 28. Therefore, the first gear 28 can be compactly
formed.
[0054] (B) In the torque limiter 39, the surface of the locking
recess 53, to which the tip of the pin member 51 is contacted, has
the slope 53c intersecting with the axis of the handle shaft 30. In
this case, when the pin member 51, pressed by the urging member 52,
makes contact with the slope 53c of the locking recess 53, force of
axially pressing the first gear 28 is generated by the slope.
Accordingly, the first gear 28 is prevented from being easily
wobbled.
[0055] (C) In the torque limiter 39, the pin member 51 has the head
portion 51 a having a spherical tip and the shaft portion 51b
having a diameter smaller than that of the head portion 51a. In
this case, the urging member 52 formed in a coil spring shape can
be compactly disposed on the outer peripheral side of each
small-diameter shaft portion 51b.
[0056] (D) In the torque limiter 39, two pin members 51 are
disposed. The two pin members 51 are disposed along the diameter of
the handle shaft 30 while the head portions 51a thereof are
directed radially outwards. Further, one urging member 52 is
disposed. The urging member 52 is a coil spring disposed on the
outer peripheral side of the two shaft portions 51b while being
disposed between the two head portions 51a.
[0057] In this case, the two pin members 51 can be urged by a
single coil spring using a step produced in each pin member 51
between the head portion 51 a and the small-diameter shaft portion
51b. Therefore, the diameter of the handle shaft 30 can be reduced.
Further, the pin members 51 and the urging member 52 can be easily
accommodated only by forming the through hole 30a along the
diameter of the handle shaft 30.
[0058] (E) In the torque limiter 39, the locking recesses 53, the
number of which is greater than that of the pin members 51, are
circumferentially aligned at predetermined intervals. In this case,
even when two pin members 51 are provided, the pin members 51 can
protrude into the next locking recesses 53 in the rotational
direction when transmission torque is reduced.
[0059] (F) In the torque limiter 39, the rotary member is a gear
member configured to transmit rotation of the handle shaft to the
traverse cam shaft of the level winding mechanism. In this case, it
is possible to compactly form either the first gear 28 configured
to transmit rotation to the traverse cam shaft of the level winding
mechanism or the second gear 25.
[0060] (G) The shaft member is the handle shaft 30 of the
dual-bearing reel that is prevented from rotating in the
fishing-line releasing direction. In this case, the first gear 28
to be mounted on the handle shaft 30 can be compactly formed.
[0061] (H) The shaft member is the traverse cam shaft 26. In this
case, the second gear 25 to be mounted on the traverse cam shaft 26
can be compactly formed.
Other Exemplary Embodiments
[0062] An exemplary embodiment of the present invention has been
explained above. However, the present invention is not limited to
the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, and a variety of changes
can be herein made without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
[0063] (a) In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the handle
shaft 30 has been exemplified as a shaft member while the first
gear 28 has been exemplified as a rotary member. However, the
present invention is not limited to the above. For example, the
spool shaft and the traverse cam shaft can be set as shaft members.
Especially, when rotation of the spool shaft is transmitted to the
traverse cam shaft through the intermediate gear as described in
Specification of U.S. Pat. No. 2,523,134, as shown in FIG. 8, a pin
member 151 can be disposed in the traverse cam shaft 126 having a
diameter greater than that of the spools shaft. In this case,
torque to be transmitted from the intermediate gear 125 to the
traverse cam shaft 126 is restricted.
[0064] (b) In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, a manual
dual-bearing reel has been exemplified. However, the present
invention can be applied to an electric dual-bearing reel. Further,
the present invention can be applied to a dual-bearing reel with a
handle configured to be rotated in the fishing-line releasing
direction. Furthermore, the right handled dual-bearing reel has
been exemplified. However, the present invention can be also
applied to a left handled dual-bearing reel.
[0065] (c) In the aforementioned exemplary embodiment, the slope
53a and the cylindrical surface 53b are provided as the contact
surface of the locking recess 53. However, the contact surface of
the locking recess 53 can be formed by either of the slope 53a and
the cylindrical surface 53b. For example, slopes can be formed on
the both sides of the locking recess. Alternatively, cylindrical
surfaces can be formed on the both sides of the locking recess.
When the slopes 53a are herein formed on the both sides of the
locking recess 53, starting torque in slip can be set to be low
while rotation in slip can be smooth. When the cylindrical surfaces
53b are formed on the both sides of the locking recess, on the
other hand, starting torque in slip can be set to be high.
Simultaneously, a feeling of click is given to an angler and slip
can be thereby easily recognized. Further, the first gear 28 is
compatibly used between a left handled dual-bearing reel and a
right-handled deal-bearing reel.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
[0066] According to the present invention, a pin member and an
urging member, configured to limit transmission torque, are
disposed on a shaft member and a recess is only required to be
formed on a rotary member. Therefore, the rotary member can be
compactly formed.
[0067] GENERAL INTERPRETATION OF TERMS
[0068] In understanding the scope of the present invention, the
term "comprising" and its derivatives, as used herein, are intended
to be open ended terms that specify the presence of the stated
features, elements, components, groups, integers, and/or steps, but
do not exclude the presence of other unstated features, elements,
components, groups, integers and/or steps. The foregoing also
applies to words having similar meanings such as the terms,
"including", "having" and their derivatives. Also, the terms
"part," "section," "portion," "member" or "element" when used in
the singular can have the dual meaning of a single part or a
plurality of parts. Finally, terms of degree such as
"substantially", "about" and "approximately" as used herein mean a
reasonable amount of deviation of the modified term such that the
end result is not significantly changed. For example, these terms
can be construed as including a deviation of at least .+-.5% of the
modified term if this deviation would not negate the meaning of the
word it modifies.
[0069] While only selected embodiments have been chosen to
illustrate the present invention, it will be apparent to those
skilled in the art from this disclosure that various changes and
modifications can be made herein without departing from the scope
of the invention as defined in the appended claims. Furthermore,
the foregoing descriptions of the embodiments according to the
present invention are provided for illustration only, and not for
the purpose of limiting the invention as defined by the appended
claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *